BEMIDJI, Minn. -- In an effort to honor the brave men and women defending the United State of America and the freedom we enjoy, Bemidji State University and Sanford Center are pleased to announce Military Appreciation Weekend for Nov. 16-17.

Bemidji State and Sanford Center welcome all current and former members of the Armed Forced to join them for a special weekend of tributes and men’s ice hockey as the Beavers host Michigan Tech for a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) series. The two-game set is scheduled to get underway at 7:37 p.m. Friday with the faceoff for the series finale set for 7:07 p.m. Saturday.

Members of the military who show a valid military ID at the Sanford Center Ford Pickup Window, beginning immediately, will have the opportunity to purchase $12 tickets for the series for themselves and their immediate family.

All branches of the Armed Forces are eligible, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard retired and active duty members.

In addition, join the BSU men’s hockey team and the American Cancer Society in raising awareness for prostate and testicular cancer Nov. 17, when First National Bank and Sanford Health help celebrate “Movember” by giving fake mustaches to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. T-shirts will also be for sale with all proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Sanford Center Ford Pickup Window is located at 1111 Event Center Drive NE in Bemidji, Minn. Monday though Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday during events. Tickets can also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, including Lueken’s Village Foods locally, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Military Appreciation promotion is available only at the Sanford Center Ford Pickup Window.

For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeavers), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) or sign up for the TXTUpdates from BSUBeavers.com text-messaging system through the "Multimedia" pull down menu on the main page of BSUBeavers.com.

Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).